1. HENRI J. LOMBARD, A RETIRED FRENCH DIPLOMAT NOW EMPLOYED
BY SOCIETE GENERALE, CALLED ON WHITEHOUSE MARCH8. LOMBARD
STATED THAT SOCIETE GENERALE WAS PRITICIPATING IN A CONSORTIUM
WHICH INCLUDES AMONG OTHERS THE MIDLAND BANK AND THE DEUTSCHE
BANK AND HAD FORMED EUROPEAN BANKS INTERNATIONAL FOR
OVERSEAS INVESTMENT. MR. LOMBARD, WHO SERVED IN VIETNAM
IN THE EARLY 1960 S SAID HIS VISIT WAS ON BEHALF OF EUROPEAN BANKS
INTERNATIONAL WHICH WAS CONSIDERING OPENING AN OFFICE IN SAIGON.
LOMBARD HAD TALKED WITH THE GVN MINISTERS OF FINANCE AND
ECONOMY AND WITH PRIVATE BANKERS HERE. HE SAID THAT ALL WERE
ENTHUSIASTIC ABOUT EUROPEAN BANKS INTERNATIONAL INTERESTING
ITSELF IN VIETNAM. AS HIS BOARD MOVES DILIBERATELY HE DID NOT
EXPECT ANY ACTION TO BE TAKEN IMMEDIATELY AND HE COMMENTED
THAT FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS HERE WOULD, OF COURSE, AFFECT THEIR
DECISION.
2. COMMENT: NOTWITHSTANDING THE FACT THAT ANY ACTIVITY BY
LIMITED OFFICIAL USE
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PAGE 02 SAIGON 03844 090818 Z
THIS GROUP WOULD BE IN THE REMOTE FUTURE, ITS SHOW OF INTEREST
IS AN ENCOURAGING SIGN.
BUNKER
LIMITED OFFICIAL USE
*** Current Handling Restrictions *** n/a
*** Current Classification *** LIMITED OFFICIAL USE

Raw content

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PAGE 01 SAIGON 03844 090818 Z
10
ACTION EA-14
INFO OCT-01 EUR-25 ADP-00 CIAE-00 DODE-00 PM-09 H-02
INR-09 L-03 NSAE-00 NSC-10 PA-03 RSC-01 PRS-01 SS-14
USIA-12 T-03 IGA-02 AID-20 COME-00 EB-11 FRB-02
TRSE-00 XMB-07 OPIC-12 CIEP-02 LAB-06 SIL-01 SAL-01
OMB-01 RSR-01 /173 W
--------------------- 007115
R 090710 Z MAR 73
FM AMEMBASSY SAIGON
TO SECSTATE WASHDC 8416
INFO AMEMBASSY PARIS
LIMITED OFFICIAL USE SAIGON 3844
E. O. 11652 N/ A
TAGS BCOM, EGEN, VS
SUBJECT: FOREIGN INVESTMENT BY EUROPEAN BANKS INTERNATIONAL
1. HENRI J. LOMBARD, A RETIRED FRENCH DIPLOMAT NOW EMPLOYED
BY SOCIETE GENERALE, CALLED ON WHITEHOUSE MARCH8. LOMBARD
STATED THAT SOCIETE GENERALE WAS PRITICIPATING IN A CONSORTIUM
WHICH INCLUDES AMONG OTHERS THE MIDLAND BANK AND THE DEUTSCHE
BANK AND HAD FORMED EUROPEAN BANKS INTERNATIONAL FOR
OVERSEAS INVESTMENT. MR. LOMBARD, WHO SERVED IN VIETNAM
IN THE EARLY 1960 S SAID HIS VISIT WAS ON BEHALF OF EUROPEAN BANKS
INTERNATIONAL WHICH WAS CONSIDERING OPENING AN OFFICE IN SAIGON.
LOMBARD HAD TALKED WITH THE GVN MINISTERS OF FINANCE AND
ECONOMY AND WITH PRIVATE BANKERS HERE. HE SAID THAT ALL WERE
ENTHUSIASTIC ABOUT EUROPEAN BANKS INTERNATIONAL INTERESTING
ITSELF IN VIETNAM. AS HIS BOARD MOVES DILIBERATELY HE DID NOT
EXPECT ANY ACTION TO BE TAKEN IMMEDIATELY AND HE COMMENTED
THAT FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS HERE WOULD, OF COURSE, AFFECT THEIR
DECISION.
2. COMMENT: NOTWITHSTANDING THE FACT THAT ANY ACTIVITY BY
LIMITED OFFICIAL USE
LIMITED OFFICIAL USE
PAGE 02 SAIGON 03844 090818 Z
THIS GROUP WOULD BE IN THE REMOTE FUTURE, ITS SHOW OF INTEREST
IS AN ENCOURAGING SIGN.
BUNKER
LIMITED OFFICIAL USE
*** Current Handling Restrictions *** n/a
*** Current Classification *** LIMITED OFFICIAL USE